Creating a Path Plan with Tramlines
Creating Tramlines
In row crop farming, increased planting densities require narrower rows, making it harder for sprayers to avoid crop damage. To solve this, growers can use existing planter technology to create tramlines—unplanted paths for sprayers—by planning seeding based on future spraying routes. This approach reduces crop trampling, saves on seed and fertilizer, and optimizes crop protection coverage, particularly beneficial in no-till systems. Equipment like Precision Planting vDrive and John Deere Exact Emerge can implement this method, potentially saving 3-5% on inputs.
Requirements:
Must have an Application Path Plan created to use as a locator for the Tramline Zones.
The Application Equipment must have Track Width and Tire Width entered for the Application Path Plan. This will be used to generate the Tramline zones in the seeding Path Plan.
To create a Seeding Path Plan with Tramlines Created for Application Operations:
- From the Plans page select the Path Plan that you would like to generate the Tramlines for.
- Click on Plan From
This allows you to create a new Path Plan that is referencing the guidance lines from the selected Plan - Enter the name for the new Plan
- Select the operation type to create the new plan for
- Select the Equipment to be used on the new plan
A new piece of equipment can also be added by clicking "+Add Equipment" - Verify correct swath width
- Select number of Headland Passes and Interior Passes
- Toggle the option to "Use Tramlines"
This enables the system to create Tramline Zone paths for the application equipment to travel, reducing destruction of crop - Select the adjustment option of Track Rotation
Most section/row control systems will perform better at a slight angle (<30 Degrees) to the zone being created to allow for the rows to shut off and come back on accurately. - Enter the desired heading to rotate the tracks from the original Path Plan
- Click Save Plan
Examples of Plans with Tramline Zones
Once saved the new Plan will have a new boundary created that has passable zones created as Tramlines to enable the seeder to shut off sections/rows to reduce damage to the crop
Side by Side comparison of original Path Plan and new Path Plan with the Tramline Zones for the application operations.
Side by Side comparison of original Path Plan and new Path Plan with the Tramline Zones for the application operations.
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